How we tested e-Borders
This page explains semaphore and the part it plays in the e-Borders programme of modernising our border.
Project semaphore was the e-Borders operational pilot launched in November 2004. It provided for the first time the ability to monitor the movements of passengers before they leave or arrive in the United Kingdom on selected routes.
Semaphore has successfully tested the concepts of a joined-up, modernised border control and security framework for the United Kingdom. Semaphore has shown that capturing information about passengers before they travel can help us strengthen our border. It does this by giving us tighter control and providing an electronic record of passengers' movements.
The joint border operations centre
The joint border operations centre (JBOC) was set up in January 2005, and is the operational centre of semaphore. This is staffed by officers from the UK Border Agency and the police. JBOC is responsible for providing detailed information to border agencies about passengers who are suspected of crime or who are of other interest to the agencies.
What have semaphore and the joint border operations centre achieved?
Alerts issued because of information collected since 2005 have resulted in:
- the arrest and conviction of people wanted for serious crimes. There have been more than 4,650 arrests for crimes including murder, kidnap, sexual offences (including rape), assault and fraud. Interventions have resulted in fraudulently used British passports being impounded and the confiscation of drugs and tobacco. There have also been considerable numbers of passengers identified and refused leave to enter.
For example, police arrested a passenger boarding a flight who was wanted for offences including theft and burglary. While he was in custody, police searched his house and found his partner dead. They charged him with murder; - the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, cannabis and tobacco.
For example, a customs officer stopped a passenger and found 1.5kg of cocaine in her possession. She was prosecuted and jailed for seven years; - the identification of sex offenders breaking their restrictions by travelling;
- the arrest and conviction of a man who had 170 blank, forged French passports in his possession. He was prosecuted and jailed for two years; and
- a visa being refused to a man who had tried to help someone enter the United Kingdom illegally and had previously had 17,000 cigarettes seized from him by customs officials.